Against all known laws of nature, Nigeria basketball which has which has witnessed a steady growth to top the African chart and risen to global prominence looks doomed for an imminent drop, unless urgent steps are taken to prevent the ugly, but predictable end.

Even as the debate on the decision by Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr to hire a new goalkeepers’ trainer for the team rages on, Alloy Agu who has been the head of goalkeeping department in the team has boasted that he remains the best in that respect.

THE Chief Tiwe Orunimighe led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Saturday held a non elective congress to clear 24 delegates from the eight local government area of the state.

The Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) has lampooned the position of the National Working Committee (NWC) for annulling the suspension of Dr. Muiz Banire by a local chapter of the party in Mushin Local Government over anti party activities.

Video: Asari Dokubo attacks Buhari, Don Jazzy, others over Deziani’s loot

REPRESENTATIVES of First Eleven Manage-ment have arrived in the United Kingdom to attend a court hearing over a breach of contract by Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and English-based agency Stellar Group.
Despite suggestions that Manchester City and Leicester City are still in talks over the signing of the Nigeria international, an agreement was reached long ago but the Foxes have been instructed not to announce his signing until a judgement is passed.
Kelechi Iheanacho has offered to pay his former agents 540,000 pounds (equivalent of N254 million) as out-of-court settlement, but the American based agency are demanding three million pounds (N1.4 billion) or nothing before they wash their hands off the case.
The Super Eagles star was alleged to have got himself into this mess by signing an agreement with Stellar Group despite having an existing contract with First Eleven Management.
Iheanacho was convinced to tear up his contract with First Eleven Management by some Nigerian-based agents in England (names withheld) and one of his friends who used to work for the American agency without pay.
The friend , who lives in the same house with Iheanacho, used to drive the striker to training shortly after he joined the Manchester City Academy.
He worked against First Eleven Management after he was financially compensated to the tune of 100,000 pounds by individuals claiming to represent Stellar Group.
Mindful of the fact that they could be banned from doing football business, Stellar Group have claimed that Kelechi Iheanacho approached them, and not the other way around.

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Saturday said he was not stepping down nor dying and that there was no one with his political stature who could immediately take over from him.

The biggest game of Matchday 32 in the Nigeria Professional Football League is definitely in Calabar where Enyimba will host Kano Pillars.

Two people were killed in a crush during a football match Saturday at the South African stadium that hosted the 2010 World Cup final, local media and an official said.

Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission ,on Saturday urged women to speak out for victims of domestic violence in their various communities.

TOP Spanish tennis coach, Jose Velasco has rounded off his four-week coaching visit to Nigeria at the Lagos Country Club with a number of junior national players getting the latest techniques to step up their game.

Female basketballer, Nkechi Akashili, would have ended up lacing the boots for a top football club in the country or somewhere in Europe.

Governor of Anambra state Chief Willie Obiano spotted dancing with his political rivals at his mother’s funeral event. The governorship aspirant under All Progressives Congress, APC’s, platform, Mr. Andy Ubah with the Minister of labor and employment, Dr. Chris Ngige last week visited the Obianor to condole him for the loss of his mother, Late Mrs Christiana Obaino.

FORMER Nigeria International Emmanuel Obasuyi, aka (Shakara) has revealed the secret behind his football exploits in the round leather game during his days in the national team. The Benin- based ex-Army man who was born the same day, week month and time with the late ex- Heartlands of Owerri manager Kelechi Emetole described the present national team players as boys who are still in the embryo.
My days in Eagles
There is no comparison between National teams of the old and that of to day .It was a thing of joy for you to be invited to the national team. Before you can wear that national colour, you must prove yourself that you have what it takes to deliver. Present day national team players have lost focus, they are only interested in collecting big dollars A situation where South Africans will come to our home and humiliate us then you tell me that we have a team. We must tell ourselves the plain truth, we still have a long way to go in grooming up these players It is only Super Eagles of the past that can go to another country and beat an opposite team home and away, not these rookies that 0they parade as national team players. My playing days was fun you know, I joined the national team from the army as a serving soldier. And you know as a soldier, you must put everything in you to differentiate yourself from the your mates I was a hard and rough player with high level of discipline as a Nigeria army. The likes of late Felix Owolabi was a small boy when he joined us in the national team under late Father Tico. Mudal lawal used to call me Aje. In 1977, as a soldier, we played against the German team in Germany it was a game of the century. And in the 1978 World cup qualifiers, it was Father Tico that killed us in Lagos against the North African side. The name Chairman was first given to Emmanuel Okala but later because Christian Chukwu was our captain, we decided to give him the name chairman.
I joined the Green Eagles in April 4th 1976 it was by merit, so our players in this present era should prove themselves to the world. If we had the kind of supports they had then, Nigeria would have won the world cup. Our coaches must work hard to beef up this team to keep hope of having the country’s flag hoist during the world cup in China
Women and me
It might interest you to know that I kept away from having sex with a woman for good 18 months as a national team player. You may ask why I did it, I want to keep to myself and play good football. Off course the thing paid off I was spiritual and physically strong and fit on the pitch of play. Tell today how many players can do it. But temptation almost came my way when I met with a Tunisian girl she almost make me break my vow, but as a discipline army officer I resisted her. And another trial came my way when we went to Syria God also helped me to overcome. But today I’m happily marriage with children and I can rock my life to any level.
World cup qualifiers
Nigeria needs to work hard to clinch the world cup ticket. To be able to beat the Cameroonians, a lot of changes must be made, they need to invite well experienced players these boys now does not have the needed experience to tackle Cameroon, and the idea of calling back Vincent Enyeama to the team is totally wrong, we have good goal keepers in the Nigeria Premier League that can take good care of the post for us.
All we need is for the coaches to brush them up. It will be a calamity if Nigeria fail to attend this forthcoming Nations and World cup.
The death of Kelechi
I will always leave to remember my friend Kelechi Emetole, he was a good friend to me, we were born in the same day, month week and year. Jolly good fellow we were always together when he was the coach of Bendel Insurance. He has paid his dues in the game of football in Nigeria. The only bad aspect of it is that Nigeria is not good as giving honour to whom honour is due. That is why I do not blame guys who dump the country for another country in search of better life. I’m calling on the Federal government to change their attitudes towards people that have served this country meritoriously with the whole of their hearts.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who played the role of Ser Jaime Lannister in the seasonal Game of Thrones is reportedly suing his ex-manager over what he calls a ‘sham deal’